ANALYSIS: Sikorsky pressing on with S-97 in pursuit of Army scout replacement

ANALYSIS: Sikorsky pressing on with S-97 in pursuit of Army scout replacement

17 April, 2018

SOURCE: Flight International

BY: Garrett Reim

Los Angeles

According to test pilot lore, when Sikorsky tried flying its first advancing blade concept on the experimental S-69 rotorcraft – a system with two stacked blades rotating in opposite directions– the machine jackhammered so roughly that it rattled loose a gold crown in the pilot’s mouth. Sikorsky cannot confirm that legend, but acknowledges that its 1970s-era co-axial compound helicopter, which was powered by four jet engines and required two pilots to maintain control, was not a smooth ride.

Sign in/Register here

Registration gives you instant free access to FlightGlobal’s news, in-depth analysis, insight and opinion from our global team of experts, and access to our Flight International and Flight Airline Business online libraries.

You’ll only need to log in once to access FlightGlobal’s premium free content.